Signaling mechanism



2 Sheets-Sheet l W. E. BIRKET SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 8, 1927 May 27, 1930.

b B E.

6cm wag May 27, 1930. WEBIRKET 1 ,760,807

SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 8, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W-E- GAR Patented May 27, 1930 WILLIAM E. BIRKET, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS SIGNALING MECHANISM 7 Application filed ilanuary 8, 1927. Serial No. 159,906.

This invention relates to signaling systems as applied more particularly to the operation of so called Stop and Go signals at street intersections.

An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of a simple and novel arrangement that will be positive in its action and not likely to cause trouble or make for confusion of signals during operation. v v

Another object is to provide a new and simple mechanism in a signaling device for timing the intervals between the showing of a signalas well as the length of time a signal is shown.

Besides these objects the invention isv directed to details of construction and arrangement of parts to form the subject of some of the claims.

'In the appendeddrawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of mechanism used in my signaling device.

Figure 2 is an end-elevation of the same with parts of a frame structure shown in cross section. I v

. Figure 3 shows one of the operating parts of the mechanism in perspective Figure 4 is a planof parts shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Figure 5 is an elevation of certain ofthe 39 parts illustrated in Figure 1 much enlarged,

and

Figure 6 is'a diagram showing the arrangement of electric circuits as used in my signaling system. 1

tions about as shown.

Journaled'in the lower'member 1 of the frame and in the described bridging member 4 is a series of upright shafts 6, 6, the shaft 6 being extended through the top member 1 of the frame and having a worm-wheel 7 While any type of framingmay be em?- secured thereto with which meshes a worm 8 0110a shaft 9 driven from a suitable motor at The several shafts are all driven in one direction, in this instance, by a gear train made up of the gears 11 and intermeshing idler-pinions 12, Figure 1. Slidable upon each shaft is an exteriorly threaded sleeve 13 having a fixed head lfl at its lower end, the whole being rotatable with its shaft by means, for example, of a key-wayv 15 in the shaft and a suitable part to engage in said key-way as at 16, Figure 5. The sleeves are designed to be positively shifted along their shafts and to descend by gravity when released, and that the distance of descent may be governed or selected I provide a forked arm 17 to lie astride the shaft, Figures 2 and 5, which arm is carried by a threaded rod 18 extending through the top of the'frame member' l? and adjusted by athumb-nut 19, for

example, 'whose use and purpose will appear later.

Pivotally mountedat 20 between the bridg ing members 5, 5 is a series of lever-arms 21, and a short arm 21 the latter being connected by a link 21 with the lever-arm 21' most remote therefrom, or at the extreme left as in Figure 1. The lever-arms are adapted to swing on their pivots and each has a pin 22 at the pivot point thereof, said pin extending from opposite sides of the arm, at least as'to intermediate arms and constituting a cross-arm for the same. These said pins are designed to lie in the path of movement of the heads 14 of the'sleeves 18 and to at times beengaged thereby as will be seen presently.

Pivoted upon the cross-member 2at a point a vertical line beneath the pivot point- 20 of each lever-arm 21 is an arm 23 each of which at its free end has engagement with one of the'lever-arms through a pin 24, Figwhose purpose will be made known later herein.

Between the cross-members is pivoted an upstanding arm 26, Figure 3, having a laterally extended portion 27 provided with a notch 28 to receive the lever-arm 21 but wider than the breadth of the latter as best shown in Figure 3 and 5. hiounted on the described structure in suitable manner is a block or w nut 29 havingthreads cut in one of its surfaces corresponding to and for engaging the threads of the sleeve 13, which block may be termed. a nut. Mounted near the upper port -on the described mechanism in suitable manner is a plate 30 having mounted thereon contact members 31, 32 and as parts of electric circuits, said plate being of insulating material, or the said members may be insulated from the plate if that member is of metal.

Mounted pivotally on said plate 30 is a series of switch-arms 34, 34' the pivotpoint of each of which lies midway between the extremes of movement of each of the lever arms 21, there being suitable stops 35, Figures 1, 2 and 5 in the member 3 to limit the said movement of said arms. Each switch-arm 34 has a crosshead 36 provided-with a wide notch 37 lying in which is a right angled extension 21 of the lever-arm 21 as shown in Figure 2.

There are two of the contact members 31, each lying in position to be engaged by one of the switch arms 34, while the contact members 33 and 34 are in pairs, each pair lying in position to be engaged by one of the switcharms 34.

The electrical connections for the contact members and said switch-arms are shown in the diagram represented in Figure 6, together with the signal represented in this instance by lamps of different colors.

In said figure, 38 and39 designate the leads of an electric power-circuit. From the lead 38 extends a wire 40 connected to all of the switch-arms 24, 24. The signal lamps are designated at G and'R, in pairs, these representing a green and a red color, respectively. Also, there are two lamps represented at A (amber) to denote traific change in the customary way. At each of two corners of a 5 street intersection is located a green, red and an'amber light,"the G (green) at one corner being connected to R (red) at the other corner by a wire 41, while a wire 42 connects the other R and G lamps at said corners.

The A (amber) lamps at both corners are likewise connected by a wire 43. A contact member 31 and a member 33 are connected to the wire 41 by a wire 44, while the other members 31 and 33 are connected by a wire 45 with the wire 42. Likewise the contact members 32 are connected by a wire 46 with the A (amber) circuit 43, all of the lamps being connected by a wire 47 to the power lead 39.

The operation of the 'mechanism' may be understood from the following: Considering the position of the parts as they stand in Figure 1 it is noted that the upper end of the first lever-arm 21, or that at the extreme left,

lies in an extreme position at the right, the

switch-arm controlled by it having. contact with its contact member 31, said lever-arm being held in that position due to the pull of the spring 25, the block or nut 29 for that arm being held in engagement with the adjacent threaded sleeve 13 by said spring, it being further noted that all of the other leverarms 21 lie in the opposite or neutral posi tion.

At this time the electric circuit is closed through the switch-arm 34 of said first leverarm, the contact member 31 and wires 45 and '42 leading to one of the pair of R and G lamps, Figure 6, the motor 10 continuously rotating whereby to impart continuous rotation to all of the shafts 6, 6 and their sleeves 13. Since the nut 29 of the member 26 is engaged with the sleeve 13 of the first shaft '6, or that at the extreme left, said sleeve will be raised on the shaft, carrying the head 14 thereof against the pin 22 of the said first lever-arm lifting the pin and, in consequence, swinging said arm toward itsopposite position or a position corresponding to those occupied by the balance of the leverarms. As that end of the arm 23 to which the spring25 is attached passes over center said spring exerts a pull on the said leverarm to cause the same to complete its move ment swinging the switch-arm 34 out of contact with the member 31. During the upi ward movement of the head 14 that member also lifts the pin 22 of the adjacent lever-arm,

or the one next to the right, resulting in finally moving the switch-arm 34 thereof into contact with the members 32, 33 closing the circuit through the two latter, the wires 45, 42, still maintaining the same G and R lamps lighted, but closing the A (amber) light-circuit through wires 46, 43 to indicate change in tratfic. The sleeve 13 of the shaft next to the right of the lever-arm last affected now is raised in the manner already described, i. e. through the nut '29, whereupon the switch-arm 34 is reversed in position to break the circuit to cut off the A lamp-circuit thus closed, as wellas the R and G circuits, and to shift the next succeeding lever-arm 21 to close the circuit through the second single contact member 31 next in order, at

which time the other pair of R and G signals are shown but with no A signal. The set interval of time having elapsed during the showing of the signals the fourth of last lever arm is operated to again show trafiic change through the switch-arm 34 at the extreme rightand at the same time maintain the last shown R and G signals in operation.

As the time for this last condition expires, and the sleeve 13 of the shaft at the extreme right is lifted, the head 14 of that sleeve engages'the pin 22 of the short arm 21, the action' of which transfers movement to the first lever-arm 21 at the left through the link 21* returning that arm to the position shown in Figure 1, the described cycle of operations being then repeated.

It is to be understood that, always, two of the arms 21, 21' are operated at the same time in the raising movement of the heads 1-11. The time intervals between the changes of signals are under complete control through the adjustmento'f the threadedrods 18 carrying the forks 17, the latter acting as limiting stops for the sleeves 13 as they fall after .having been liberated by the removal of the nuts 29 therefrom. Clearly, by adjusting the positions of the forks through the thumbnuts 19 the time required to lift the threadbars until the switch-arms 34:, 34 and nuts 29 are thrown is governed. For example, the R and G signals may be shown for a period of say forty seconds whereas the A signal may show but five or six seconds and controlled through the circuits of which the contact members 32 are parts. Consequently the switch arms 3-l' which engage said members are kept in engagement for the shorter periodby setting at a higher elevation the forks 17 of the sleeves 13 which correspond to said switch arms so that the lifting of said sleeves will take a much shorter time than will those controlling the contacts 31. \Vhile I use gravity as the operating force for the sleeves 13 in their descent, other or further forces of a mechanical nature may be employed.

Preferably the extensions 23 of the arms 23 are weighted as described in order that should a spring become weakened or is broken the weight willbe suflicient to swing the lever-arm to which that particular spring is attached to disengage from an adjacent threaded sleeve the nut 29 controlled by said lever-arm. and thereby no straining or breaking of parts will likely occur.

"lhe arms 21, the shaft 6 and the various parts to operate therewith to the number shown serve to operate the signal lights or other forms of signaling devices that may be used at practically any number of station points or street intersections. But Where other or additional duties are required the named arms and other parts may be increased in number.

sion for swinging the arm, a second rotatable part, and a member operated by the arm in one direction of its movement to engage said member with said'second part for shifting it axially.

2. Mechanism. in a signaling system, ineluding a pivotally mounted arm adapted for movement in opposite directions on its pivot, an extension at opposite side of the pivot of said arm. a part constantly rotated and adapted in addition to have movement in a direction paralleling its axis of rotation, the same adapted to engage one of the extensions for swinging the arm in one direction, a second constantly rota-ting threaded part adapted to engage the other extension and likewise having movement in a direction paralleling its axis of rotation, and a nut mounted to swing and engaged by the arm in one of its movements to carry said nut into engagement with the threads of said second part.

3. Mechanism, in a signaling system, including a mounted arm adapted for a shifting lateral movement in either of two direc tions, 2. switch-arm engaged by the mounted arm in either of its movements, mechanism including a part at each side of the mounted arm, one of them adapted to operate said arm in one of its directions of movement. and a member engaged by said arm in said movement adapted to be carried into engagement with the other part to cause movement of said other part to-swing the arm in an opposite direction.

1-. Mechanism, in an electrically operated signaling system, including a pair of mounted arms adapted each to swing to opposite positions on its mounting, a pair of switcharms as parts of thesignaling system, the same being separately engaged by one of the mounted arms, power means, and a part operated by the latter and operativel eugaging both arms to swing them in opposite directions for'operating the switch-arms.

5. Mechanism for operating a switch including a pivotally mounted arm adapted to swing between two extreme. positions and having a cross-arm rigid therewith substantially at its place of mounting, a pivoted switch-arm with which the said mounted arm engages adapted to be swung therby to opposite positions, and a part at one side of the mounted arm adapted and arranged to engage and swing the cross-arm thereof and the mounted arm in a single direction.

6. Mechanism for operating a switch including a pivotally mounted arm adapted to swing between two extreme positions and having a' cross-arm rigid therewith substantially at its place of mounting. a pivoted tially parallel to the said arm. one of them in its travel engaging and swinging said cross arm and thereby swinging the mounted arm.

7. Mechanism for operating a 'switch iiicluding a pivotally mounted arm adapted to swing between two extreme positions and having a cross-arm rigid therewith substantially at is place of mountin a pivoted switch-arm with which the said mounted arm engages adapted to be swung thereby to opposite positions, and a part at each side of the mounted arm adapted each to alternately engage and move the cross-arm and thereby swing the said mounted arm first in one direction and then in the other.

8. Mechanism for operating a switch including a pivotally mounted arm adapted to swing between two extreme positions and having a cross-arm rigid therewith substantially at its place ofmounting, a pivoted switch-arm with which the said mounted arm engages adapted to be swung thereby to opposite positions, a part at each side of the mounted arm adapted each to alternately engage and move the cross-arm and thereby swing the said mounted arm first in one direction and then in the other, and power means to operate each said part.

9. Mechanism for operating electric switches including a pair of arms pivotally mounted between their ends in spaced relation, each having a cross-arm rigid therewith at its place of mounting, a separate switch-arm with which one end of each mounted arm engages, a power operated member arranged to travel between the saidmounted arms in a direction substantially paralleling them, adapted to engage and simultaneously swing the cross-arms and thereby swing said mounted arms in opposite directions.

10. Mechanism for operating a switch including an arm pivotally mounted between its ends and having a cross-arm rigid therewith at' its place of mounting, a switch-arm with which one end of the mounted arm engages,.a powershaft lying beside the said mounted arm substantially paralleling the length of the same, a threaded sleeve rotated by the shaft and slidable therealong and having an abutment, a nut mounted on a fixed portion and adapted to swing into and out of engagement with the sleeve and lying in the path of the mounted arm and adapted in the swing of the latter to be alternately engaged with and disengaged from said threaded sleeve, the engagement of the nut with 'the said sleeve causing the' longitudinal travel of the latter for the engagement of its abutment with the crossarm, the swinging of the mounted arm, and the disengagement of said nut.

11. Mechanism for operating a switch-arm including an arm pivotally mounted between its ends and having a cross-arm rigid therewith at its place of mounting, a switch-arm with which one end of the mounted arm engages, a power shaft lying beside the mount ed arm arranged longitudinally thereof, a threaded sleeve rotated by the shaft and slidable therealong and having an abutment, a nut mounted to swing into and out of engage ment with the sleeve, the same lying in the path of the mounted arm and swung thereby, means to swing the mounted arm to carry the nut into engagement with the sleeve thereby to cause said sleeve to travel along said shaft, the abutment of said sleeve adapted in its travel to engage the cross arm and swing the mounted arm and therethrough disengage the nut from said sleeve.

12. Mechanism for operating a switch arm including an arm pivotally mounted between its ends and having a cross arm rigid therewith at its place of mountin a switch-arm with which one end of the mounted arm is adapted to engage, a power rotated threaded member arranged to travel adjacent the same in a longitudinal direction with respect there to and having an abutment adapted in its travel to engage one end of the cross-arm for swinging it and the said mounted arm in one direction, means to swing the latter in an opposite direction, a pivotally mounted nut adapted to swing, the same lying in the path of movement of the mounted arm and adapted in the swing of the latter to be alternately engaged with and disengaged from said threaded member, the engagement of the nut with the rotatlng threaded member causingv the longitudinal travel of the latter'for the engagement of its abutment with the crossarm, the swinging of the mounted arm, and the disengagement of said nut.

13. Mechanism for operating a series of switch arms including a series'of arms each pivotally mounted between its ends and each adapted to engage at one end one of the switches, separate means adapted to swing each two adjacent arms in opposite directions on their mountings in successive order throughout the series, and a lever mounted at one end of the series of arms and operated by one of the said separate means and operatively connected with one of the arms at the opposite end of the series.

14. Mechanism for. operating a series of switches including a support,,a series of switch-arms pivoted on the support, a series of arms pivotally mounted between their ends on the support and each at one of its ends adapted to engage one of the switch-arms, each mounted arm having a cross-arm rigid therewith at its place of mounting, a shaft disposed between each two adjacent arms and paralleling the longitudinal line of the same, power means for rotating the series of shafts, a threaded sleeve slidable in opposite directions on each shaft and rotated by the same, each sleeve having an abutment for engaging and moving the cross-arms of two of the mounted arms adjacent thereto, a nut i said mounted arms and moved by .the same pivotally mounted on the support adjacent each sleeve and each engaged by one of the therewith at its place of mounting, a shaft disposed between each two adjacent arms and paralleling the longitudinal line of the same,

power means for rotating the series of shafts, a threaded sleeve slidable in opposite directions on each shaft and rotated by the same, each sleeve having an abutment for engaging and moving the cross-arms of two of the mounted arms adjacent thereto, a nut pivotally mounted .onthe support adjacent each sleeve and each engaged by one of the said mounted arms and moved by the same each into engagement .with a sleeve whereby the sleeve thus engaged will be moved along its shaft for engagement of its abutment with the cross-arms to swing two adjacent arms, and adjustable means to limit the movement of the sleeves in one direction on their shafts.

16. In mechanism of the class-described, a

support, a shaft journaled thereon, power.

means for rotating the shaft, a threaded sleeve slidable in opposite directions on the shaft and rotated thereby, a nut pivotally mounted on the support, an arm also pivotally mounted on the support adapted to engage the nut, means to swing the arm for engaging the nut with the sleeve whereby the latter is shifted along the shaft in one direction to swing the arm anddisengage the nut, said sleeve being free to shiftin the'opposite direction, and means to limit its movementin said opposite direction. 1 7

17. In mechanism of the class described, a support, a shaft journaled thereon, power means for rotating theshaft, a threaded sleeve slidable in opposite directions on the shaft and rotated thereby, a nut pivotally mounted on the support, an arm also pivotally mounted on the support adapted to engage the nut; means to swing the arm for engaging the nutwiththe sleeve whereby the latter is shifted along the shaft in one direction to swing the arm and disengage the nut,

said sleeve being free to shift in the opposite direction, and adjustable means to limit its movement in said opposite direction.

18. Mechanism of the nature described including a support, a .pair of switch arms mounted thereon for independent pivotal movem'ent,a power shaft erected in a vertical position on the support adjacent the switch arms, a threadedsleeve slidable upon the shaft adapted to descend by gravity and including an abutment, an 'arm pivotally mounted on the supportat each side of the sleeve, eachadapted to engage a switch arm and each including apart extending laterally therefrom toward the sleeve, anut pivotally mounted on the support engaged iy the said arm, means to swing the last named arm to carry the nut into engagement with the sleeve whereby the latter is elevated .on it's shaft carrying its abutment against the extended part of the last named arm for swinging the latter, disengaging the nut and releasing the, sleeve, and adjustable means mounted .on the support for limiting the extent of free downward movement of saidsleeve whereby the time required in lifting the sleeve to swing the arm maybe varied.

19. In combination with a series of switcharms in a signaling system for street intersections, separately mounted swingable arms each engaging a switch-arm, separate means interposed between the several arms for swinging them in opposite directions including a memberpower-operated in one direction to effect the swinging of the arms, and free to shift in an opposite direction, and

meansto limit the extent of movement of the member in said opposite direction.

20. Mechanism of the nature described including a series of swingable circuit closing switch-arms mounted side by side, a series of arms pivotally mounted side by side, each at one end engaging one of said switch-arms,

said mounted arms adapted to swing the switch-arms in opposite directions, and each mounted arm having a cross-arm at lts place of mountlng, a member disposed in each space between the several arms adapted each in its movement to engagethe cross arms of each of any two adjacent arms for swinging the said two adjacent arms independently of other arms, and means operated byeac of said mounted arms in the swing thereof 1 for causing the operation of the member that actuates the next adjacent arm.

21. Mechanism of the nature described including a series of swingable circuit closing switch-arms, a serles of pivotallymounted arms each engaging a switch-arm adapted to swing the same in opposite directions, separately'operated means between each two adjacent pivotally mounted arms adapted to swing said arms in opposite directions, each two mounted arms of the series adapted to be operated in serial order throughout said series, and means for transferring action from one end of the'series of arms to the p other end thereof for therepetition of said serial operation.

- 22. Mechanism of the nature described including a series of substantially parallel shafts spaced apart, means for transferring rotation to all of them, a threaded sleeve rotatable with each shaft adapted to shift endwise thereon and each provided with an abutment, an arm disposed in each space between the shafts and pivoted between its ends, a nut pivotally mounted in each said space, each adapted to engage one of the shafts and given pivotal movement by an adjacent arm, and an arm extending from the side of each of the arms adapted to be engaged by the abutment of the SIGG'VG in one ,direction of shifting movement thereof.

In testimony whereof I afiix my si nature.

WILLIAM E. BIR ET. 

